Meeting Caitlin

Abby was in a warm place. There was sunshine, and clear azure sky, and she was surprised to realise that it didn't bother her in the least.

The garden was in full bloom, the heady fragrance of the flowers permeating the air and delighting her senses.

She walked through the paths, winding through past the various plants, until she came to a clearing in a field. She looked over towards a tree, and saw a small girl playing by herself.

She strolled towards her, and when she reached her, she was startled to see a familiar face look up at her - startled because she had no idea who this little girl was, but at the same time, knew that she could only be one person.

She had Tim's straight nose, and her eyes were shaped like his as well. They were green, but not Tim's particular shade - her eyes were unmistakably the exact shade of Abby's. Her chin was like Abby's as well, and her long hair was dark, though not quite as jet-dark as her own. It was drawn back into a ponytail, secured at the nape of her neck.

"Hi, Mommy," the little girl said brightly.

Abby gasped.

"You're not supposed to be here, you know."

Abby sat down on the soft, cool grass.

"Do I know you?" she asked, in wonder.

The small girl giggled. "Of course not, silly Mommy. I haven't been born yet. But my name is Caitlin."

Abby felt her eyes burn and her throat tighten. Caitlin. After her best friend. How fitting, she thought.

"You have to go back to Daddy, or I won't ever be born," the small child said, matter-of-factly. "Not to mention, Uncle Tony will be really really mad. And Uncle Gibbs will be even madder. And Uncle Ducky won't ever smile again if you don't go back. And Uncle Jimmy…"

Abby cut the girl off. "Okay, alright, alright… I get it, already. I didn't really want to leave your Daddy anyway. I mean, I DON'T really want to leave him. But it hurts too much to wake up, baby girl."

Caitlin sighed, exasperated. "Fine, then. Stay awhile. But you have to go back soon, you can't stay here."

"So, whatcha playin'" Abby asked her future daughter.

Caitlin smiled up at her, grinning another familiar grin. Her beautiful green eyes lit up, as she excitedly told her mother what she'd been up to.